World mapping of animal feeding systems in the dairy sector
This report (PDF) by three partner organizations (IDF, FAO and IFCN) builds a knowledge foundation for animal feeding systems to serve as a valuable resource for the dairy sector and connected chain partners. The paper includes IFCN survey results on dairy cattle feeding systems for 44 countries; the IDF survey results on dairy cattle feeding systems for 15 countries; and the FAO survey results on dairy cattle, water buffalo, sheep and goat feeding systems for 43 countries. By comparing simple indicators a better understanding feeding systems throughout the world is possible, resulting in an overall mapping of the global situation on this issue. A total of 47 different feeding systems were characterized. The report can be used both to compare and improve feeding systems already in use by examining the success of similar systems from around the world and for the development of new feeding systems.